Today, we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Nichols.
Hi Lisa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
The idea for Maggie’s Sole Mission came to me when my mother, Maggie Sohel, was in hospice in October 2020. She valiantly battled Stage 4 Endometrial Cancer in 2019, but it came back during the pandemic, and her treatment was halted. She was a lifelong educator in Texas and a retired school principal. In hospice, I was telling her stories of her time as a teacher, wanting her to know she made a difference in this world. I recalled her buying new shoes for students who missed school and why this was so important. She once told me that low-income students often miss school because they do not have shoes that fit, and then they fall behind. Once they start falling behind, they are less likely to finish school, and many drop out.
This was important to her because she survived childhood poverty. She knew first-hand how it felt to be the poorest student in class every year and to wear hand-me-down clothes and shoes until she was an adult. She was the first person in her family to attend and graduate from college. She always said education saved her from the cycle of generational poverty. As I told her these memories, the idea came to me. I told her: “Mom, I’m going to start a nonprofit, and every year, we’re going to do a new shoe drive in your memory. That way, you and your mission will never be forgotten.” She could not talk at this time. But she smiled.
In our first year, 2021, the mission was a small, word-of-mouth drive. We delivered 78 pairs of new shoes to Arlington ISD. By 2022, we had a Board of Directors and registered nonprofit status in Texas. We raised more than $5,600 and provided 354 pairs of new shoes to 3 schools in Fort Worth ISD. 2023 was our 3rd year, and we raised more than $6,200 and provided 200 pairs of new shoes to Hubbard Heights Elementary in Fort Worth ISD.
We host a new shoe drive every August. Donors can buy new shoes directly from our Amazon wish list or donate funds that we use to purchase new shoes. All the new shoes are donated to a pre-selected public school in North Texas. We select a school based on the financial needs of its student body and at-risk percentage. Delivery Day is a special day: it’s on my mom’s birthday every October 17th.
This mission means so much to me because I am carrying on the work my mom started, and I have learned the need for new shoes is HUGE in North Texas. On Delivery Day, we get to see the students try on pairs of new shoes until they find the perfect pair. We love seeing their smiles!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We are a small, volunteer-run organization. Because we are so new, we do not yet qualify for national grants. The biggest struggle we face is not being able to meet the community’s needs. For example, in 2022, we were contacted by four schools asking to be the recipient of our new shoe drive. We were able to help 3 of the 4. Each year, we are more aware of the need, and while we are incredibly proud of our fundraising efforts and our amazing donors, the reality is that we fall short of the need every year. This is why we are seeking corporate sponsors in 2024 – so we can help more students.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Our advisory board is made up of kind & enthusiastic volunteers who truly care about helping students. One of our board members volunteers because both of her parents were public school educators. Another board member received support like ours when she was a child so she knows the real impact of our mission. My drive came from witnessing my mother’s commitment to helping others. She was not rich; she helped so many people through her teacher’s salary. I learned from her that the most important thing we can do in this life is help others. This mission is my promise to her.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe in standing up for the underdog. It is important to me to always use my voice to help others, especially children. As a childhood trauma survivor myself, I am eternally thankful for the teachers and coaches who stepped up to help me, and I believe it is my personal responsibility to pay that forward and help others.
Pricing:
- $5,000-6,000 to help one school
- The average cost of new shoes is $45
- 82% of funds go directly towards buying new shoes for students
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maggiessolemission.org
- Instagram: maggiessolemission
Image Credits
Macka Photography
